April 21 - 26, 2008
"Because gravity,
even more than the sea,
does not forgive."
This years NPS Eastern High Angle Rescue course was held at Buffalo National River, Arkansas. The Buffalo is a long drive from Shenandoah but three SMG staff were able and excited to make the trip. On the trip down, after driving all night, we were thrust into an appropriate rescue course warm up when flagged to the side of the road by a panicked woman next to a minivan. The 37 year old male in the back of the fully loaded van was having a medical emergence, trouble breathing and vomiting. Working through a language barrier Jeremy reported to EMS our exact location while Matt and I evaluated the patient. In ten minutes we turned over our SOAP notes to the local EMS and continued on through the cold Tennessee daybreak.
Once at the Buffalo it was five very full days of rescue training learning everything one needs to know in order to perform a rescue of someone stuck or broken on a cliff. Here's a couple pics from the week.
Jack, ascending a large overhang.
Mike performs a pick off in the Buffalo indoor facility.
Jo Practices ascending during a great day on the cliff.
A little sunset bouldering before the course began.
Tracy, a Buffalo River Rescuer on rappel.
